Animal Welfare Committee

Approved: 012821 Animal Welfare Committee Meeting October 22, 2020 Via Teleconferencing through GoToMeeting 7:30pm Term Exp Members Present Absent Staff Bob Ryan X Staff Rebecca Bailey X 6/30/2022 Taimi Anderson X 6/30/2022 Suzie Bellamy X 6/30/2022 Marci Booth X 06/30/2021 Stephanie Butler X 06/30/2023 Lisa Ealley X 6/30/2023 Mark Hall X 6/30/2021 Christine Nagle X 6/30/2021 Kathy Rodeffer X 6/30/2023 Patti Stange (@7:35pm) X 6/30/2023 Dave Turley X 6/30/2022 Kennis Termini (@7:40pm) X Also present: Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk; Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:33pm by Ms. Bellamy, Co-Chair. 1. The agenda was reviewed, and a motion was made by Ms. Rodeffer to accept it. Mr. Turley seconded the motion. Motion carries 7-0-0. 2. September 24, 2020 minutes were reviewed. A motion was made by Ms. Booth to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Turley seconded the motion. Motion carries 8-0-0. 3. Ms Butler – Rise to a question of Privilege. Ms. Butler expressed her disappointment with how the letter from the SPCA was brought to committee. Ms. Butler stated there was much confusion regarding who the letter was from, who had read the letter and what exactly the letter said. Ms. Butler stated even though this incident involved the Pit Bull issue – it was not the subject that was of her concern but how it was brought to committee. A discussion ensued pertaining to the animal welfare laws. Mr. Ryan forwarded the SPCA letter to all committee members during the meeting. Ms. Butler made a motion: All written correspondence to the AWC is duly forwarded to all members before any motions or actions are taken on the content of correspondence. Ms Nagle seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. 4. AWC Report from Mr. Ryan/Ms. Bailey: a. AWC Donation Account – $10,741.39. b. Ms. Bailey handled two reports on two raccoons who were sick, taken to Prince George’s County shelter and had to be euthanized; retrieved an injured bird from Home Depot. It was taken to a wild-life rehab, Friskies, in Woodstock, Maryland; three pet mice were surrendered and are currently in the College Park shelter – it was suggested that Ms. Bailey contact Small Angels in Frederick, Maryland; and a Ball python is on stray hold at Petco – Petco actually thinks they sold this particular python and are willing to care for it. c. The MOU was sent to Greenbelt for approval. d. Chapter 1.02 dealing with the revised Animal Codes is scheduled for the hearing with Mayor and Council on October 27, 2020 at 7:30pm. The Co-chairs will have five minutes to speak and each resident, who wishes to speak, will have three minutes.  e. The cats available for adoption at Petco are not very comfortable there. Ms. Bailey has reached out to Laurel Cats and they are on a waiting list for fostering. f. Discussed a need for a foster list. There will have to be criteria established for anyone who wants to assist in fostering animals. Any suggestions on information needed on a fostering application should be emailed to Ms. Rodeffer and Ms. Bellamy. This discussion was tabled and will be reviewed in further detail at the December 3, 2020 meeting. 5. Municipal Scene Articles a. November – Making plans for unexpected inability to care for pets – Kathy Rodeffer b. December – Dangers of holidays – Mark Hall c. January – Tethering law and animal protection during the winter months – Patti Stange 6. The Annual Report to Mayor and Council was distributed to the committee. Ms. Bellamy asked for any further comments or discussion. There were none offered by the committee. Ms. Stange made a motion to accept the annual report as written. Ms. Booth seconded. Motion carries 8-0-0. 7. Several of the committee members asked about another virtual format for the meeting. Mr. Ryan stated he would speak with the City Clerk’s office. 8. The next virtual meeting will be on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 7:30pm. Ms. Booth made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Ms. Stange. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm. Respectfully submitted by Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary.